Quader for more international pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has called upon the international community to take more effective strategies for mounting enhanced pressure on Myanmar to take back its Rohingya nationals from Bangladesh.

He said this at a regular press conference at his official residence on parliament premises on Monday.

Quader said since the outset of Rohingya crisis, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been continuing diplomatic efforts seeking cooperation from the international community for the peaceful solution of the problem.

The economy and environment of Bangladesh have been affected badly for hosting around 1.2 million Rohingyas who took shelter at Ukiah and Teknaf, he added.

The minister said social environment and ecological balance of the areas is now at a stake due to living of excessive number of people there than its capacity.

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It is also putting adverse impacts on the tourism industry centering the world’s longest natural sea beach in Cox’s Bazar, he said.

Quader said the government took the initiative to shift Rohingyas to Bhashan Char with additional facilities as their repatriation to Myanmar has been delayed.

Under the circumstances, those Rohingyas who have shifted to Bhashan Char expressed their satisfaction, he went on saying.

But some international organizations and media is spreading that the Rohingyas were shifted forcefully which is not true, he added.

The minister said only those, who voluntarily wanted to shift, were taken there and no pressure was put on them.